The marsh and wetlands vegetation along the Creole Nature Trail provide much more than beauty, mystery and serenity. This vegetation provides sustenance for millions of migrating birds that depend on it year after year. The abundance of marsh grasses serves other crucial purposes as well. They act as a buffer against storms by “breaking” the power of the storm surge and slowing down its inland path. And because the vegetation roots “cling” to the soil, the marsh grasses preserve the integrity of the marsh.